Listen free for 30 days

  • The Day the World Came to Town

  • 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
  • Written by: Jim DeFede
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (124 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Day the World Came to Town cover art

The Day the World Came to Town

Written by: Jim DeFede
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.63

Buy Now for $25.63

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Perfect for fans of the musical Come From Away!

When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill. As the passengers stepped from the airplanes, exhausted, hungry and distraught after being held on board for nearly 24 hours while security checked all of the baggage, they were greeted with a feast prepared by the townspeople. Local bus drivers who had been on strike came off the picket lines to transport the passengers to the various shelters set up in local schools and churches. Linens and toiletries were bought and donated. A middle school provided showers, as well as access to computers, email, and televisions, allowing the passengers to stay in touch with family and follow the news.

©2002 Jim DeFede (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Day the World Came to Town

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    109
  • 4 Stars
    15
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    84
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    88
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story

I had heard some of the stories from gander but this book wraps it up perfectly

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Proud to be Canadian

Telling the individual stories of passengers really brought to life the full meaning of the efforts of so many small town folks to bring positivity into a horrific time for the affected people. I am proud to be Canadian and this story reinforced that the kindness of Canadians is alive and well. Thank you to all the people involved in helping on 9/11.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Pam
  • 2021-10-31

Great Read

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The stories of individual passengers was personal and very well done.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Proud to be Canadian

As a Canadian I am so proud of what all of Newfoundland accomplished on those 6 days. As a human being I am proud of the way everyone came together to make a frightening situation have a beacon of hope for all mankind. I lived this book and will read it more than once.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Loved it!!!

I cried happy tears through the entire book. Listening to all these incredible experiences during a tragic experience. I can’t wait to go to Newfoundland.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A true Canadian story

I was 1-week shy of 16 on September 11th, 2001. I remember what that day felt like, and I remember hearing about Gander. This is such a Canadian story that has never failed to inspire both pride and humility.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An amazing side of 9/11

Thank you! This was a uplifting, true story about kindness under pressure and showed the horrific events if 9/11 in a whole new way. Well worth reading and well read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very nice story, great performer

This "almost" made me want to go live in Grander Newfoundland! I enjoyed the reader very much.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating and uplifting

Wonderful to hear of such genuine, generous and kind people. Also very interesting to hear the behind the scenes logistics of handling this emergency situation. Couldn’t stop listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful story of Newfoundland hospitality

From the depths of tragedy, a demonstration of true hospitality. Strangers that reached out and became friends.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!